Michael g



M. G. KUHN.

SPOOL HOLDER.

(No Model.)

No. 476,883. Patented'June 14, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL G. KUHN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPOOL-HOLDER.-

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 476,883, dated June 14,1892.

Application filed February 15 1892. Serial No. 421,538. (No model.)

To all whom it concern.-

Be it known that I, MICHAEL G. KUHN, of New York, in the county andStateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSpool-Holders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full andexact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a partof this specification.

My invention relates particularly to that class of spool-holding deviceswhich are designed for use in manufacturing establishments where anumber of spools are served out to an operator for use upon a sewing orother machine, and are intended to prevent the removal of a spool by theoperator While permitting the thread to be drawn off freely until thesupply is exhausted.

The objects of the invention are to improve the construction of suchdevices, to facilitate the removal and replacing of spools by the properperson, to render the device more durabio, and to provideanovel tensiondevice which may be regulated readily by the operator.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improvedspool-1'ack, showing the same unlocked and opened for the removal orreplacing of spools and showing several spools in position. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same, showing it closed and locked. Fig. 3 is a similarsection of the form in which I prefer to construct the rack.

The base or frame A of the rack is of suitable size and shape to supportthe desired number of spools, as hereinafter described, and is adaptedto be secured to a machine or to rest upon a table. Side plates B B arehinged or pivoted to each side of the base A, and each side plate B hasfixed thereto a nu mber of spindles G O, which are adapted to re ceiveand support the spools D D. A lockingbar E is connected at one side toone of the side plates and at, the other end is adapted to engage theother of said side plates and to be locked thereto by a locking deviceF, and a latch G may be allixed to the base to engage the side plates Band hold them in place temporarily until the locking-bar can be securedin place. The spindles C are of such length as to prevent the removal ofthe spools therefrom when the rack is closed, as shown in Fig. 2. Eachspindle O carries a tensionspring l-I, whose pressure upon the spool maybe regulated by an adjusting-screw I from the outside of the rack. Thespindle is made hollow, as at c, to receive the spring, and is slotted,as at c, to permit the spring to bear upon the spool. In this case theadjusting-screw I is tapped axially into the outer end of the spindleand bears against the end of the spring, which may be bent to give ahearing, as shown. The locking-bar is by preference carried above thespools, as shown in Fig. 3, and is provided with eyes 6 e for the threadin its passage from the spools, thereby making it possible to dispensewith independent guides.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, pillars K are erected upon the middle line ofthe base A, and each is formed with an eye It to receive the ends ofeach pair of opposing spindles 0 when the rack is closed. It is notnecessary, however, that the spindles should receive the support of thepillars K, if they are properly secured in the side plates. If it isdesirable that the opposing ends of two spindles in alignment should beunited, it is preferably accomplished without the use of the pillars bysuch means as are shown in Fig. 3, wherein a pin L, carried in the endof one spindle, is adapted to enter a recess in the end of the opposingspindle. The pin may be permitted to slide, bein g pressed forward by aspring, as shown.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the side plates are represented asconnected to the base A by a pivotal joint aat one end. They might, withthe same effect, be connected along the side of the base by ahinge-joint a, as shown in Fig. 3.

If it is desired to provide for the support of a single row of spools,the base A may be made of a corresponding width, and a single plate,either fixed or movable, may serve as an abutment for the ends of thespools and as a point of attachment for the locking-bar.

I am aware that a spool-holder comprising a frame, alongitudinally-extending partitionhavingtransversely-projectingspool-spindles, sides fitted to slidelaterally on the frame, and a locking device to retain the movable sidesin position has been shown in a patent bearing date earlier than myapplication; but I do not claim such construction herein. By hinging theside plates upon the base instead of providing rods upon which they mayslide I have produced a spool-holder which is simpler in construction,more easily and cheaply manufactured, and more readily manipulated forthe purpose of removing and replacing spools.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of a fixed spool-holdingspindle, hollow and slotted, as described, a support therefor, alaterally-yielding spring placed longitudinally Within said spindle, andan adj listing-screw tapped into said spindle axially and adapted tobear against the end of said spring, substantially as shown anddescribed.

2. In a spool-holder, the combination of a base, a side plate supportedby said base, but movable with respect thereto, a spool-supportingspindle fixed to said side plate, said spin- (lle being hollow andslotted, a laterally-yielding spring placed longitudinally within saidspindle, and an adjusting-screw adapted to bear against the end of saidspring, substantially as shown and described.

'3. In a spool-holder, the combination of a base, side plates having ahinged or pivotal connectionwith said base, spool-supporting spindlesfixed to said side plates, and a locking-bar connected with one of saidside plates and adapted to engage the other, said lockingbar beingformed with guide-eyes for the thread from the spools, substantially asshown and described.

4. In a spool-holder, the combination of a base, side plates having ahinged or pivotal connection with said base, spool-supporting spindlesfixed to said side plates, the corresponding spindles on the opposingplates being in alignment, a pin carried by one of said correspondingspindles and adapted to enter a recess in the other, and means to lockthe plates in position, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a spool-holder, the combination of a base, side plates havinghinged or pivoted connection with opposite sides of said base, spo0l-snpportin g spindles fixed to both of said side plates, the correspondingspindles on the opposing plates being in alignment and adapted to engageand support each other at their free ends, and means to lock the platesin position, substantially as shown and de scribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribin g witnesses.

MICHAEL e. KUHN.

Witnesses:

' A. N. JESBERA, A. \VIDDER.

